Tag: Lord Alton of Liverpool

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-02-11.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health, Jane Ellison, on 11 September 2014 (HC Deb, cols 664–5W), what is the minimum number of fresh eggs required for the nuclear DNA to be extracted and moved elsewhere in order to generate each reconstructed embryo by pronuclear transfer; what consideration the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has given to the appeal for additional egg donors publicised via chroniclelive.co.uk on 3 February; whether the HFEA holds records for any licensed centres in which the incidence of hospitalisation due to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is equal to or greater than that described in the journal Human Fertility (volume 10, issue 3, pages 183–7); and what changes the HFEA has introduced since the publication of the McCracken Report to mitigate the risks of OHSS in accordance with recommendations 10 and 11 and in the light of paragraphs 4.40 and 4.44 therein.

Earl Howe

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has advised that it is not in a position to know the minimum number of fresh eggs required for mitochondrial donation. Subject to the approval process agreed by the HFEA, this will be a matter for clinical teams involved.

The HFEA will be developing its expectations as regards donation for treatment or clinical use, taking into account information for patients and donors and consent requirements.

The HFEA has also advised that it does not hold information on ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) that would allow it to undertake an analysis of the incidence of hospitalisation due to OHSS.

The McCracken report was considered by the HFEA at its meeting in September 2013. As regards recommendation 10, about the HFEA’s regulatory focus, it was agreed by the Authority that this would form the basis of the HFEA’s development of its strategy for 2014-17. The HFEA strategy was agreed by the Authority in July 2014 following extensive consultation with stakeholders. The strategy does not expressly set out the actions it proposes to take as regards OHSS. The HFEA advised that it continues to discuss with key stakeholders, including professional groups, what actions, if any, can be taken jointly by those stakeholders.

In relation to recommendation 11, the HFEA advises that an information sharing agreement with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is working well in practice and that any concerns identified by the HFEA are discussed and necessary action is taken by the respective body.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-02-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports that the government of North Korea uses forced and uncompensated labour, including school children, in the construction of tourist sites visited by United Kingdom tourists; and whether United Kingdom legislation prohibits the use of such sites by United Kingdom-based businesses or individuals.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We are aware of reports regarding the use of conscripted military personnel in the construction of sites that foreigners visit in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and of the use of forced and uncompensated labour for construction projects more generally. Our Embassy in Pyongyang has seen activity corroborating these reports, such as military personnel working on the new Pyongyang airport terminal and Masik Pass Ski Resort, and we are aware of situations in which university students have been taken out of classes to participate in construction projects. We are unaware of specific reports regarding the use of school children in the construction of tourist sites, and we have not witnessed this in Pyongyang. Our officials have seen children, who appear to be of school age, taking part in extracurricular activities including street cleaning and grass cutting, and also being used as agricultural labour at harvest time.

There is no legislation prohibiting the use of, or access to, DPRK tourist sites by UK-based business or individuals.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-02-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of comments by United Nations Special Rapporteur Marzuki Darusman that the human rights situation in North Korea can only improve if the Kim family is removed and a new leadership is installed.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We continue to be extremely concerned by reports of gross violations of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). We have repeatedly urged the DPRK authorities to address these violations, including by immediately closing political prison camps. We have also made clear that we will respond positively if the regime demonstrates a genuine willingness to deliver improvements on the ground. However, until and unless such improvements take place we will continue to work with partners to maintain international pressure on the DPRK. We support the work of the Special Rapporteur in monitoring the human rights situation in the DPRK and briefing the UN Human Rights Council as an important part of these efforts.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-02-10.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their current understanding of the Warnock Committee’s recommendations on the level of respect to be afforded to human embryos; whether they continue to adhere to those original principles; and how they and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority give effect to those principles in their policies.

Earl Howe

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990, as amended, which builds on the recommendations made in the July 1984 report of The Committee of Inquiry into Human Fertilisation and Embryology (the “Warnock Committee”), takes account of the special status of the human embryo because of its potential to develop into a human being.

The Government and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) recognise the special status of embryos. This is reflected in the strict regulatory controls that continue to be applied to the use of embryos in treatment and research.

The HFEA has advised that it requires all licensed centres to ‘have proper respect for the special status of the embryo when conducting licensed activities’. This is a principle which informs every part of its Code of Practice, which HFEA licensed centres are expected to adhere to. This can be found on the HFEA’s website at:

http://www.hfea.gov.uk/184.html

“

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-02-12.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Turkey about proposals to convert many secular schools into Imam Hatip schools and the forced enrolment of pupils into Imam Hatip schools in 2014.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Our Embassy in Ankara regularly discusses education policies with senior Turkish cabinet ministers and officials, and Turkish education unions. In January our Ambassador met with Mehmet Görmez, President of the Diyanet (Presidency of Religious Affairs in Turkey), and discussed religious education and Imam Hatip schools with him. More widely, we regularly raise human rights issues with the Turkish government, including the importance of freedom of religion and safeguarding the rights of minority groups.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-09-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what measures they have taken, if any, in response to the most recent arrests of members of the Sudan Congress Party, and more broadly regarding the treatment of members of civil society, political activists and journalists in Sudan since the election in April.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

Whilst we have not raised this specific case, we regularly highlight our concerns over the treatment of political parties, civil society and the media with the Government of Sudan, most recently with a member of the National Congress Party in September this year.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-09-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 15 September (HL Deb, col 1741), what assistance they have given to the Karen and other ethnic minorities in Burma in overcoming obstacles to a comprehensive national ceasefire, particularly in regard to (1) the placing of weapons beyond use, (2) the restitution of land, and (3) the extension of the franchise to Burmese refugees living in refugee camps on the border between Burma and Thailand.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

We welcome the continuing talks between the Burmese government and ethnic armed groups to agree a National Ceasefire Agreement. Throughout the negotiations the UK has funded specialists to provide expert advice in support of the peacemaking dialogue in Burma to both sides of the conflict. This includes support to the National Ceasefire Coordination Team, the ethnic groups’ negotiation team of which Karen groups are a part. We are also a member of the Peace Donor Support Group which is directly supporting work to move from ceasefire agreements to political dialogue with all of Burma’s ethnic groups.

The signing of a ceasefire would only be the start of a wider peace process. The next stage, as envisaged by the draft National Ceasefire Agreement, is a National Political Dialogue. It is at this stage that issues such as decommissioning of weapons, land restitution and resettlement of internally displaced people will be discussed. To date we have not been asked to assist with any of these issues, and we would only do so with the consent of both sides. However, as I highlighted in the debate to which the noble Lord refers, the UK has earmarked £3million in flexible funding to support such activities in support of the continuing peace process through the multi-donor Peace Support Fund, with the potential to increase this to £5million.

We have raised with the Burmese authorities the issue of extending voting to internally displaced people. Most recently our Ambassador lobbied the head of the Union Election Commission on the inclusion of internally displaced people in Burma on the voter lists.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-09-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of progress in combating Boko Haram in Nigeria; what assessment they have made of how many deaths and acts of terror that group has been responsible for over the past year; and how many of the girls who have been abducted by Boko Haram have been rescued to date.

Baroness Anelay of St Johns

While we welcome progress made by Nigeria and its neighbours, Boko Haram remains a threat to security in North East Nigeria and the wider region. Due to the nature of Boko Haram attacks, which often take place in remote areas, it is difficult to provide accurate and reliable figures relating to their activities, including the numbers of people killed and abducted. However we estimate that over 20,000 people have been killed, 2.2 million internally displaced and 4.6 million affected by the insurgency.

We are aware of several hundred women and children being released by Boko Haram this year. We have stressed to the Nigerian authorities the importance that they are provided with appropriate support.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2015-09-17.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the findings of the report commissioned by the British Pakistan Christian Association, entitled Education, Human Rights Violations in Pakistan and the Scandal Involving UNHRC and Asylum Seekers in Thailand; and whether, in the light of this report, they plan to review the risk of the persecution of Christians in Pakistan and update their guidance document Pakistan: Christians and Christian Converts.

Lord Bates

The Home Office will be considering the report commissioned by the British Pakistani Christian Association alongside a range of other material to make a full assessment of the situation of Christians in Pakistan, and will revise its country information and guidance if necessary.

The Home Office considers that the treatment of asylum seekers in Thailand is primarily a matter for the Thai authorities.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool on 2014-06-26.

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the safety of embryos created using the DNA of three individuals.

Earl Howe

An expert panel, convened by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, has conducted three reviews of the safety and efficacy of methods to avoid mitochondrial disease through assisted conception. The reports of the reviews were published in April 2011, March 2013 and, most recently, on 3 June 2014.

All three reviews have found no evidence to suggest any of the techniques evaluated are unsafe. In its most recent report, the expert panel recommended that additional experiments should be completed before the techniques were used in clinical practice. The Government is considering the report and will announce its plans as soon as possible.